Background:

CNY Fertility owns both 835 Hopkins Rd and 21 Klein Road. The 21 Klein Road parcel currently has a one-story home.

The owner is requesting that 21 Klein (.39 acres) be rezoned from R3 (residential) to OB (office bldg.) with the goal of tearing down the house and erecting and a 73’x67’ addition with a height of 27’. Additional parking would be added as well.

Petition:

I the undersigned oppose the proposed rezoning of 21 Klein Rd (835 Hopkins Rd) from R3 to OB.

While I am not opposed to sensible commercial development, I oppose this proposal for the following reasons:

1.The petitioner seeks to erect a 27 foot tall structure. All of the commercial buildings adjacent to 835 Hopkins Road are one story. Therefore, a two story addition is not consistent with the current commercial development.

2. The parcel adjacent to 835 Hopkins Road at 827 Hopkins Road is currently for sale. It already has a 3,895 square foot one story building with parking on site. Utilization of this existing structure (without height modification) would do a better job of "revitalization of neighborhood commercial [property]." Land Use chapter 3, page 14.

3. "In the Vision of Amherst in 2018 the Town is renowned for an exceptional quality of life that is based upon three fundamental attributes." One attribute is livability, "encompassing healthy neighborhoods." This proposal would have a significantly negative impact on the character and quality of life of the Chestnut Hill Lane, Kingswaye Drive, and Klein Road neighborhood. We are a close-knit community with a number of annual activities including a block party. No family neighborhood wants a 27 foot commercial building erected within its confines.

4. The Traffic Safety Board at its August 2019 meeting initiated a multi-pronged review of the Hopkins and Klein Roads intersection and this study extends out a significant distance in each of the four directions, e.g., Klein Road to Youngs Road. This review involves not only the Town but also Erie County. This review is on-going. It seems premature, at the very least, to approve rezoning in the midst of this study.

5. Multiple real estate agents have said that this construction will have a significantly adverse effect upon property values.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration regarding this issue.